In response to feedback from communications colleagues, NIHR senior leaders and DHSC, we have evolved how the central communications working groups are structured and operate. We made the change to ‘delivery teams’ to successfully fulfil the 25/26 communications plan and the forthcoming One NIHR communications strategy.
At the heart of this evolution is a guiding principle that we are ‘One NIHR’.
We are made up of many constituent parts, catering for multiple audiences, to deliver NIHR’s overall strategic objectives and NIHR’s overarching communications objectives, as set out in our annual plan and forthcoming Communications strategy. It is vital this is reflected in how we prioritise and deliver our communications. This is in line with communications guidance, issued in April 2024, setting out: “NIHR first, function follows”.
NIHR comms working groups have now changed to ‘delivery teams’. These are:
New, overarching, Content delivery team (all content development – digital and non-digital) - led by Sarah Fryett and Alice Ford. This will encompass all existing content working groups and approaches (social, website, communicating impact), plus brand.
Strategic Communications and Campaigns delivery team - led by Lorraine Bridges
Internal Communications delivery team - led by Hannah Stoneman
Media Relations delivery team - led by Yuba Bessaoud
International Communications delivery team - led by Tarique Chowdhury
Every communications team member from the Academy, CCF/Business Development and Collaborations, Maximising Impact and Public Partnerships, NETSCC and RDNCC component centres will be a member of a single delivery team. Each member of the delivery team gives 50% of their overall working time to deliver against the priorities of the team.
The priorities of each delivery team have been set by the delivery lead, with Communications Programme Board members ‘sponsoring’ a delivery team and playing a pivotal role in embedding across NIHR communications and beyond. Priorities have been signed off by the Director of Communications, regularly reviewed and adapted as needed.
Overarching NIHR content plan
Annual report, 2026 onwards
Web content
Brand oversight and development
Channel management (social and website)
Content creation, optimisation and publishing
Insights and measurements
All NIHR campaigns
Strategic communications planning
Audience planning and oversight
One NIHR internal communications plan
Intranet management and oversight
Change communications for internal audiences
NIHR media plan: proactive and reactive
NIHR media monitoring
Crisis communications
International communications plan
International communications issue management
You can contact our delivery team leads if you have any questions about the way these teams work:
Content: Alice Ford (alice.ford@nihr.ac.uk) and Sarah Fryett (sarah.fryett@nihr.ac.uk)
Strategic Communications and Campaigns: Lorraine Bridges (lorraine.bridges@nihr.ac.uk)
Internal Communications: Hannah Stoneman (hannah.stoneman@nihr.ac.uk)
Media Relations: Yuba Bessaoud (yuba.bessaoud@nihr.ac.uk)
International Communications: Tarique Chowdhury (tarique.chowdhury@nihr.ac.uk)